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Essex has jumped over Kemoeatu at Left Guard for the Steelers

The other high-ankle sprain the Steelers are dealing with could result in Trai Essex starting at left guard Monday night in San Francisco.

Center Maurkice Pouncey has yet to practice this week, and if he is unable to play, Doug Legursky will move from left guard to center. If that happens, Essex, not Chris Kemoeatu, would get the nod at left guard.

Kemoeatu entered the season as the incumbent at left guard, and he has started seven games there in 2011. But the seventh-year veteran has been hampered by injuries, and he had three penalties called on him in the Steelers' 14-3 win over the Browns last Thursday.

"The effort's always there," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of Kemoeatu. "The penalties you've just got to get rid of."

Pouncey's status is in question after he left the Browns game in the second quarter with a sprained left ankle. The same injury kept Pouncey out of the Super Bowl last season.

It's not like Trai is a God send to the offensive line, a pro bowl angel sent down from the black 'n gold palaces in the heavens, but atleast he have the dumb penalties coupled with the epic holding and false starts that just kill a drive time after time.

They should cut Kemo in the off season and look to use that money on an OL free agent.

There's no doubt in my mind they are going to be looking to go that route. With a normal offseason again they can look for a free agent Guard, a middle tier guy and then take a new Guard high in the draft.

If they can pull that off, and no reason they shouldn't be able to do so, you could have an offensive line that rock solid for years to come.

I would like to see them lock up Starks for a couple more years yet, maybe a 3 yr deal and buy some time with the depth they'll need to draft on defensive line with Smith and Hoke possibly not coming back.